(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

February 5, 2013, 8:26PM

02/05/2013

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Robin Swinth, a former member of the city Board of Public Utilities, received a brief standing ovation Tuesday afternoon as she was sworn in Tuesday as the newest member of the Santa Rosa City Council.

Before taking her place at the far end of the council dais, Swinth, 45, warmly shook hands with each member of the council, as well as the city clerk, city manager and city attorney.

Swinth, who is also a former city planning commissioner, will fill the seat vacated by Susan Gorin, who was elected to the county Board of Supervisors with two years left on her council term.

Swinth took the oath of office at the opening of the City Council meeting on Tuesday.

"I'm just really looking forward to working with the council and working with the community," Swinth said.

After the ceremony, Swinth said her priorities on the board would be working on budget issues and economic development. She also said she's eager to start her work as the council's representative to the Sonoma County Water Advisory Committee.

Swinth was selected Jan. 29 from a pool of 17 candidates after a three-week application process. She was able to get six votes from council members during the first round of voting.

She received significantly more votes than other applicants, including Caroline Ba?elos, who received three, and Don Taylor, David Rosas, Curtis Byrd, Gary Saal and George Steffensen, who received two votes each.

Swinth, a native of Santa Rosa, lives in Bennett Valley with her family. She has two daughters, ages 8 and 9. A former Agilent Technologies engineer, Swinth and her husband own a small business that helps disabled people find work.